How to Claim a 2020 Tax Refund You Never Filed For

Yes, you can still claim your 2020 tax refund, but the window is closing

The IRS allows you to file a return for up to three years after the original due date. For the 2020 tax year, that important date is April 15, 2024. If you have not filed yet, you are past that date, but the IRS has not destroyed your records or closed the door entirely. What happens next depends on whether you filed late or never filed at all.

If you never filed a 2020 return and are owed money, the IRS will not send it to you unprompted. You have to file the return yourself. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather the documents you need and the more likely the IRS is to have moved on from your account. But filing now is still possible and still worth doing.

Key Takeaways

You can file a 2020 return after April 15, 2024, but the IRS will not process it as a priority and may have already closed the file.
If you are owed money, filing late costs you nothing except the time to gather documents and complete the return.
You will need the same documents as a timely return: W-2s, 1099s, receipts for deductions, and proof of any payments you made.
Filing by mail takes longer than filing electronically, and the IRS processes late returns in the order they arrive, not by urgency.
If the IRS has already issued a refund to someone else using your Social Security number, you will need to file a report and wait for an investigation.

What happens when you file a 2020 return now

The IRS treats a 2020 return filed in 2024 or later as a late return. It goes into a separate queue and is processed more slowly than returns filed during tax season. You should expect to wait six to eight weeks for the IRS to receive and process your return, longer if you file by mail. Electronic filing is faster and more reliable.

The refund itself, if you are owed one, does not expire. The IRS will issue it once your return is processed, even years after the original due date. However, if you are owed money and you never filed, the IRS does not hold that money in an account with your name on it. It stays in the general Treasury. Filing now straightforward tells the IRS to calculate what you are owed and send it to you.

Documents you need to gather

Filing a 2020 return now requires the same documents as filing it in 2021 would have. You will need your W-2s from each employer, any 1099s for self-employment income or other income, and receipts or records for any deductions you plan to claim. If you received unemployment benefits in 2020, you will need that 1099-U. If you made estimated tax payments or had taxes withheld, you will need records of those payments.

The challenge is that employers are not required to keep W-2s on file indefinitely. If you no longer have your W-2s and your former employer no longer has them either, you can request a transcript from the IRS using Form 4506-C. This takes two to four weeks. If you cannot locate documents, file the return with the information you have and note on the return that documents are missing. The IRS will follow up if they need more information.

How to file your 2020 return

You have two options: file electronically through a tax software provider or file by mail. Electronic filing is faster and produces an when ready confirmation that the IRS received your return. Most free tax software (VITA sites, IRS Free File partners) will let you file a prior-year return, though some charge a small fee for returns older than the current year.

If you file by mail, use Form 1040 for 2020 (not the current year's form) along with the schedules that match your situation. Mail it to the IRS address for your state, which you can find on the IRS website. Include a cover letter stating that this is a late return for tax year 2020. Keep a copy for your records and send it certified mail if possible. Processing time by mail is typically eight to twelve weeks.

If the IRS has already issued a refund to someone else

If you discover that someone filed a 2020 return using your Social Security number and received your refund, you cannot straightforward file your own return and expect the IRS to sort it out automatically. You need to file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, along with your 2020 return. This alerts the IRS that your identity was used fraudulently.

The IRS will then investigate, which can take several months. During that time, your refund is frozen. Once the investigation concludes and the IRS confirms that you are the legitimate taxpayer, they will issue your refund. You may also want to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus, since tax fraud often accompanies other identity theft.

What to expect after you file

After the IRS receives and processes your return, they will send you a notice by mail. This notice tells you whether your return was accepted as filed or whether the IRS needs more information. If they need information, respond within the timeframe stated in the notice. If your return is accepted, the notice will include the refund amount and the date it will be issued.

Refunds are issued by direct deposit or check, depending on what you indicated on your return. Direct deposit is faster, usually arriving within two weeks of the notice date. A check takes longer and can be lost in the mail. If you do not receive your refund within the timeframe stated, you can check the status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on the IRS website, though this tool is less reliable for prior-year returns.

Why filing now is worth the wait

If you are owed a refund, the only cost of filing late is the time and effort to gather documents and complete the return. There is no penalty for filing a return late if you are owed money. The IRS only penalizes you for filing late if you owe taxes. So if you believe you are owed a refund, filing now puts money in your pocket that you would otherwise leave unclaimed.

The longer you wait, the harder it becomes. Employers discard old records, you forget where you worked or what you earned, and the IRS's own records become harder to reconstruct. Filing now, even though it is late, is simpler than filing five years from now. And if you ever need to prove your income for a loan, housing, or other purpose, having a filed 2020 return on record with the IRS is valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my 2020 return electronically even though it is late?

Yes. Most tax software and VITA sites will let you file a 2020 return electronically. Electronic filing is actually preferable for late returns because it produces an when ready confirmation and is processed faster than mail. Some software charges a fee for prior-year returns, but free options are available through IRS Free File partners and VITA sites.

What if I do not have my W-2 from 2020?

Request a transcript from the IRS using Form 4506-C, which shows the income the IRS has on record for you. This takes two to four weeks. If your employer no longer has the W-2, the transcript is usually sufficient to file your return. File with the information you have and note that documents are missing; the IRS will follow up if they need more.

Will I owe a penalty for filing my 2020 return late?

No. The IRS only penalizes late filing if you owe taxes. If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty for filing late. The only downside is that processing takes longer and the IRS may have already moved on from your account, which can slow the refund.

How long will it take to get my refund after I file?

If you file electronically, expect six to eight weeks from the date the IRS receives your return. If you file by mail, expect eight to twelve weeks. Late returns are processed more slowly than timely returns because they go into a separate queue. Direct deposit is faster than a mailed check once the refund is issued.

What if someone else already filed a 2020 return with my Social Security number?

File your own 2020 return along with Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. The IRS will investigate and determine who the legitimate taxpayer is. This process takes several months. Also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.